WHERE'S MY T-R-U-C-K?

Name: WHERE'S MY T-R-U-C-K?
Author: Karen Beaumont
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3222-3

by Karen Beaumont & illustrated by David Catrow ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2011

Don't read this at bedtime; the boisterous energy here is aptly summed up in the final rhyme: "HOORAY! I FOUND MY T-R-U-C-K!...

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Anyone who's ever interacted with a young child who's lost a favorite toy will immediately recognize this little boy and his single-mindedness in searching for his t-r-u-c-k.

The rhythmic, rhyming text works well, especially out loud, as long as readers realize "t-r-u-c-k" means to spell out the word letter by letter: "But all I want to do today / Is find my T-R-U-C-K!" Scratchy pencil-and-watercolor illustrations capture the chaos of a household with young kids and pets: Clothes overflow from dresser drawers, soap and scrub brush go flying when Tommy peeks behind the shower curtain and toys spill out of an overturned toy bin. Tommy's shoes are untied, and his hair sticks up; it's easy to imagine this kid losing track of his things. However, alert readers and listeners will notice clues to the real fate of Tommy's truck. On every spread, his mischievous dog is dashing away, something he has filched in his mouth: a pair of gardening gloves, a fuzzy pink slipper, a toy dinosaur and more. It's especially funny when Bowser races away with the cat in pursuit, the cat's toy in his mouth, while the cat chases him, knocking over the ladder to the treehouse and stranding Tommy.

Don't read this at bedtime; the boisterous energy here is aptly summed up in the final rhyme: "HOORAY! I FOUND MY T-R-U-C-K! / Come on, Bowser! Let's go play!" (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-8037-3222-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: Aug. 9, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2011

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
PRETTY KITTY
by Karen Beaumont ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

- BOOK REVIEW
HATS OFF TO YOU!
by Karen Beaumont ; illustrated by LeUyen Pham

- BOOK REVIEW
CRYBABY
by Karen Beaumont ; illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.